PHN EXTRA: Penguins Talk About Their Experiences as ‘The New Guy’

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Pittsburgh Penguins Right Wing Bryan Rust (17) celebrates his goal with Pittsburgh Penguins Right Wing Jake Guentzel (59) during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Anaheim Ducks on December 17, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins added three new faces to the lineup last week. Teddy Blueger, Nick Bjugstad, and Jared McCann joined the fray as Derick Brassard and Riley Sheahan were dealt.

Being the new guy or the new kid isn’t easy. As many stories as we can write about captain Sidney Crosby taking players to dinner, inviting the boys to watch the Super Bowl or generally making an effort to welcome the fresh fish, it’s still difficult to be new.

“I think we’re a better team today. With some of the changes Jim (Rutherford) has made, I think we’re better. It’s similar in a sense with a lot of the same core players,” said head coach Mike Sullivan.

Yes, Crosby did have a Super Bowl party in which McCann was in awe as he peeked around the corner to see Hart Trophies.

PHN asked Tanner Pearson, who was acquired via trade earlier this season, and Bryan Rust who was also a midseason call-up fighting for a job in 2015-2016 about their experiences and how they relate to the new guys. And Teddy Blueger also talked about what it’s like trying to earn a job with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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